The
Western Europe Tour
First Update Clifden to Crosshaven
Effectively "The Adventure"
has begun…..
….. We left Clifden on Saturday morning (25th Aug). Moire Kenny, Kenneth
Flaherty and myself sailed away at 7am, I was not planning to return for
9 months. In fairness, we were only bringing the boat to Crosshaven, Co.
Cork for some extra cruising gear to be fitted and give the engine a good
service. Just north of the Blasket Islands (Co. Kerry) as the dark of
night came down on us the engine began to splutter. After checking her
through, the filters were all clogged up and she wasn't able to get fuel.
I cleaned out the fuel lines and filters (as much as was possible, on
the run) and kept her going between the islands and on through the night.
At dawn (Sun 26th Aug) she gave up completely. I tried all I could but
to no avail. Decided to sail on anyway, as we are on a SAIL boat.
The wind totally died and we drifted around "Mizen Head" all day long.
During this time, the Irish Naval Vessel "Eithne" was in the area and
called out to "All ships in the area: Beware, we are engaging in a live
firing drill". This I was not happy to hear. I called them back on the
radio to inform them that I had no motor and no wind so was unable to
keep clear of them. They said they had us on Radar and wouldn't fire in
our direction.
The Captain also kindly offered to send us his team of engineers, as soon
as they were ready, to see if they could help us on our way. But just
like my attempts … unsuccessfully. The wind picked up in the evening and
we sailed, at an average of 8 knots, on through the night to arrive at
the entrance of Cork Bay about 2am. Wind died again and with the tide
against us, it took 4hrs to navigate the channel to eventually moor up
at 6am Monday morning off Crosshaven Boat Yard.
Later that day (Mon 27th Aug) the Boat yard people lifted the mast off
my boat and then lifted the boat herself to be parked in a cradle for
the next few days. Now high and dry the work commenced. With little else
to do we expected to be bored waiting around. No … a phone call I got
sorted that out. A guy wanted his yacht delivered from Crosshaven to Dunlaoghaire
(Co. Dublin). We were glad to be doing something (anything) and that sorted
out our accommodation requirements for the next few days.
We took charge of his yacht on Tuesday (28th Aug) and set sail Wednesday
8am. That trip took 28 hrs which included getting tangled in a lobster
pot rope just south of "Tuskar Rock" (off Rosslare) . Kenneth got in the
water in the dark of night and cut the rope free. Then arriving safely
at Dun Laoghaire Marina 12 midday on Thursday (30th Aug). We spent the
night in Dublin, so I could collect my American Visa from the US Embassy,
which was conveniently ready for collection just that day. Now (Friday
31st Aug) we're back in Crosshaven waiting for the boat to go back in
the water Monday.
Kenneth went straight home from Dublin.
Ronan Hughes has joined the boat since. My sister Susie met us here with
Ronan on Friday before she set sail from Kinsale to do the "Skellig Challenge"
generating funds for "Enable Ireland" on Saturday morning.
Hopefully soon, when I get a digital camera I will be able to post photos
on the website.
NEXT
PAGE
